A 36-year-old man has been charged after seven people were injured when a car mounted a pavement in Derby city centre. Sandhu Ponnachan, of Chariot Close, Alvaston, faces multiple charges including six counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of attempted grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving, and possession of a bladed article.
The incident occurred at about 9.30pm on Saturday outside the Bishop Blaise pub on Friar Gate, when a black Suzuki Swift mounted the pavement. The victims—four men and three women aged between 36 and 52—sustained injuries described by police as serious but not life-threatening. Four have since been discharged from hospital.
Ponnachan, originally from India but now living in Derby, was arrested seven minutes after the incident. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Counter-terrorism officers assisted the investigation, but police have stressed the incident is not being treated as terrorism. Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said: 'This incident has, naturally, sent shock waves through the community of Derby and the county as a whole. My thoughts remain with each of the seven injured people, their families, and witnesses at the scene.'
Derbyshire Police have appealed for anyone with footage of the incident to come forward.
